Liverpool and Wales legend John Toshack diagnosed with dementia as son gives heartbreaking update

Liverpool and Wales legend John Toshack has been diagnosed with dementia, his son has revealed.

The 77-year-old played almost 250 games for the Reds during his career and represented his country 40 times.

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Toshack also managed the Welsh national team twice and took charge of Real Madrid from 1989 to 1990.

But sadly, his son, Cameron, who is currently assistant manager at Thai side Buriram United, has spoken to the Daily Mail about his father’s health in a heartbreaking update.

He said: “It’s a terrible disease. It’s the short-term memory where we’re seeing it – I speak to him most days and if we chat in the afternoon, he might not remember that we also spoke in the morning.

“But if I ask him about the Liverpool days, or Sociedad or Madrid, the detail is amazing.

“The other day, he was telling me about a Real Madrid game against Arrigo Saachi’s AC Milan and exactly how he tweaked his midfield to deal with Marco van Basten.

“I’ll talk to him about what we’re doing in Thailand and he still gives great advice. As a manager, he could always see two or three moves ahead, and it was always in the genes for me, really.”

Toshack’s legendary career

Toshack started his football career in his birthplace Cardiff, playing over 100 times for the Bluebirds from 1965 to 1970.

The ex-striker then went on to play for Liverpool, where he went on to win nine trophies, including the European Cup.

He also won three First Division titles during his time with the Reds, where he scored 96 times in 247 appearances.

His career at Liverpool spanned eight years from 1970 to 1978.

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He would go on to return to Wales after his spell on Merseyside, collecting another 63 appearances for Swansea.

And it was with Swansea that Toshack kick-started an impressive managerial career.

Toshack took charge of 12 teams over a 40-year tenure on the touchline, managing in multiple different countries.

He left Swansea to head to Portugal in 1984 as he coached Sporting Lisbon, before he then went on to manage Real Sociedad in Spain.

A stint at Real Madrid followed in 1989, as he went on to lead Los Blancos to the LaLiga title in 1990.

Toshack also managed Turkish side Besiktas, French team Saint-Etienne and multiple international teams, including Wales and North Macedonia.

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Recent health issues

Toshack has sadly struggled with multiple health issues recently after being admitted into intensive care in 2022.

He had to fight pneumonia after suffering from Covid.

The legendary boss did make a rare appearance last year though, being given a Diamond and Gold badge by his former club Real Sociedad.

Fans and players stood to clap him as he was given the award, which is the highest honour the club hands out.

Toshack waved back at the supporters as he sat on a chair on the pitch inside the Anoeta Stadium.